Vikings have a ride on Friday mornings (6am start) starting and finishing from ANU bridge near concourse, just down from Pickle Pickle cafe/Sports Union. Fast, medium and slow groups.

There is also Southside 'Grandpa' bunch starting from Bike Shed Phillip also starting at 6am Fridays. Only one group/speed for this bunch, usually it's mediumish to fast depending on who's on the front.

Saturday morning has the infamous 'Bakery Bunch' which I'm led to believe is basically a hammerfest all the way - I've never done it personally so can't comment in detail. Starts from Bike Shed Phillip at 6.30am I think? (Paging Mr Golf!) One group for this ride, keep up or get dropped!

Pedal Power have a Sunday ride leaving from Dickson College at 8am, fast, medium and slow groups, routes vary each week and each group usually does a different route.

Saturday morning has the infamous 'Bakery Bunch' which I'm led to believe is basically a hammerfest all the way - I've never done it personally so can't comment in detail. Starts from Bike Shed Phillip at 6.30am I think? (Paging Mr Golf!) One group for this ride, keep up or get dropped!

Yeah, Bilby's arent too bad, but they always just stay same pace. Its good for getting some K's in the legs, but no real push for training.

'Infamous' Bakery Bunch?? Not sure why... They are pretty fast. Usually averages between 34-39km/h, but thats not that fast, is it? I can keep up easily, so its manageable. The tough bit is sprinting the 10kms between Barton hwy and Federal Hwy, especially along horse park drive. They step up a gear or two, and I usually get dropped in the last 2kms of the sprint. I think the guys on the front are A graders and there are usually some Drapac Porsche team riders. Its great fun, though. Occasionally dubious road manners and etiquette, but for the most legal and safe. Just dont expect them to stop if you puncture or have a light stack.

So I was coming down Fed Hwy, over the Majura Rd overpass and down towards the Formula One motel, and I saw a bunch ride of sorts (Wednesday) at about 6.30am-ish.

From my googling-kung fu, would I be right in saying this is the 'Bilbys' bunch ride?

I've only ever been on one bunch ride, as an invite to Vikings and I sort of liked it in a bemused sort of MTBer way. From my reading, Vikings don't really want you on their rides if you aren't a member due to insurance issues (which is fair enough). I'm not a Vikings or CCC member, and I don't see myself signing up anytime soon... although crits interest me a little (another discussion).

Is Bilbys happy for randoms to show up? And randoms new to bunch riding at that? (Though definitely not new to riding)

Bilbies are more than happy for newbies/ outsiders to turn up. I have been riding bilbies wednesdays since December last year and am never likely to be a member. They have multiple groups catering for different speed abilities and are very friendly. Best introduce yourself and tell Gary what your experience in groups is like.

I haven't experienced Vikings putting up walls to non members. Training rides are just that. None of the Vikings riders would be covered with insurance to any big degree, either.

There are heaps of rides out there, though. Joining one will inform you of others.

Bilbies are still fine without a licence. They have a couple of rides per week. There are a couple of rides from Woden on Friday, one of which (the one that leaves at 6:01, rather than 6:00) is fairly brutal in pace. The earlier ride is a nice relaxed pace, no licence needed.

As for MTB hairy legs, I am a roadie (mainly) with occasional visits to MTB meccas like the Scott, who has hairy legs. The euro cool rules stipulate that hairy legs are OK provided you can dish out pain. Thats something I am working at. They also say facial hair is unacceptable unless it is a trimmed goatee... I am a misfit.

So which club should I join guys? Vikings or CCC? I'm not a vet so they're out...

what's the overall vibe of each club?? Do they have stereo types? I'm mainly looking for an easy going crowd that is welcoming to new people and not hating on us MTBers. I'll try and dish the pain with my hairy legs on the hills.... I'll do my best on my 9-speed alu

Sorry for all the q's... $270 is a lot to drop... a lot more than an MTBA licence that's for sure.

Bought my Viking membership last night - going to rock along this morning to the North side ANU group ride. Say hello to me if you see me - I'll have a silver Avanti with a jersey with greek lettering (aqua and white). My name is Matt.

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